Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 53 (Thursday, March 18, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12787-12789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5848]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-239-AD; Amendment 39-13529; AD 2004-06-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes, that requires checking the identification plate on the ram 
air turbine (RAT) actuator and re-identifying the actuator or replacing 
the actuator with one which has been cleaned and tested by its 
manufacturer. This action is necessary to prevent jamming of the RAT 
actuator in an emergency which requires deployment of the RAT, and 
consequent loss of hydraulic and electrical power in the airplane. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective April 22, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director

[[Page 12788]]

of the Federal Register as of April 22, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 
Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, 
and A321 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
December 17, 2003 (68 FR 70210). That action proposed to require 
checking the identification plate on the ram air turbine (RAT) actuator 
and re-identifying the actuator or replacing the actuator with one 
which has been cleaned and tested by its manufacturer.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 195 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. There would be no cost for required parts. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $63,375, or $325 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-06-03 Airbus: Amendment 39-13529. Docket 2001-NM-239-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes which have received 
modification 27189; Model A319 series airplanes; and Model A321 
series airplanes, provided that none has received modification 30978 
or 28413; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent jamming of the ram air turbine (RAT) actuator in an 
emergency which requires deployment of the RAT, and consequent loss 
of hydraulic and electrical power in the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Extension of RAT Actuator

    (a) Within 31 months after the effective date of this AD: Extend 
the existing RAT actuator, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1098, Revision 02, 
dated February 20, 2003.

Determination of Identification of RAT Actuator

    (b) Immediately after accomplishment of paragraph (a) of this 
AD: Check the identification plate on the RAT actuator to determine 
the part number (P/N), the serial number, and whether there is a 
notation in the Amend Block, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Hamilton Sundstrand/Arkwin Industries Service 
Bulletin ERPS08A-29-2, dated February 22, 2001.

Retraction, Re-identification, or Replacement of RAT Actuator

    (c) Depending upon the identification of the RAT actuator, 
accomplish the follow-on action indicated in Table 1 of this AD, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-29-1098, Revision 02, dated February 20, 2003.

                                           Table 1.--Follow-on Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              And the Amend Block is     And the  serial  number
      If the P/N is--         marked with an ``A''--               is--                        Then--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
764711A...................  N/A.......................  N/A......................  No further action is
                                                                                    required.
764711....................  No........................  N/A......................  Prior to further flight,
                                                                                    remove the RAT actuator and
                                                                                    replace it with one which
                                                                                    has been cleaned, tested and
                                                                                    re- identified by its
                                                                                    manufacturer.

[[Page 12789]]

 
764711....................  Yes.......................  0868-0889................  Prior to further flight,
                                                                                    remove the RAT actuator and
                                                                                    replace it with one which
                                                                                    has been cleaned, tested and
                                                                                    re- identified by its
                                                                                    manufacturer.
764711....................  Yes.......................  Other than 0868-0889.....  Prior to further flight,
                                                                                    reidentify the RAT actuator,
                                                                                    in accordance with paragraph
                                                                                    2.G. of the Accomplishment
                                                                                    Instructions of Hamilton
                                                                                    Sundstrand/Arkwin Industries
                                                                                    Service Bulletin ERPS08A-29-
                                                                                    2, dated February 22, 2001.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parts Installation

    (d) As of the effective date of this AD: No person may install 
an Arkwin Industries RAT actuator having P/N 764711 on any Airbus 
Model A319, A320, or A321 airplane, unless it is in compliance with 
this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-29-1098, Revision 02, dated February 20, 2003; and 
Hamilton Sundstrand/Arkwin Industries Service Bulletin ERPS08A-29-2, 
dated February 22, 2001; as applicable. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 
Cedex, France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-236(B) R1, dated December 24, 2002.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 22, 2004.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 9, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5848 Filed 3-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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